After touring the US with Wilco, Stereolab and Cold War Kids, Richard Swift started recording The Atlantic Ocean in Wilco’s Chicago loft on a vintage analog tape machine sold to him by Wilco’s frontman Jeff Tweedy. With a methodical approach and help from engineer Chris Colbert (The Walkmen) and mulit-instrumentalist Casey Foubert (Sufjan Stevens, Crystal Skulls), Swift’s vintage mixtures on Ocean are seamless and bright. A collaboration with producer Mark Ronson on track “Ballad of Old What’s His Name” features the talents of Ryan Adams, Mark Ronson, Sean Lennon and Pat Sansone of Wilco, a strange pairing of musicians, producing beautiful results.

The Atlantic Ocean continues Richard Swift’s tradition of defying musical categorization while showcasing his signature wry, whimsical style. Title-track “The Atlantic Ocean” opens the album with bouncy synth-powered pop while orchestra swells blend with electric guitar solos on “The First Time.” Ragtime horns parade on “Bat Coma Motown” and single “Lady Luck” brings the album to a close with Swift’s signature croon hearkening serious 60s soul. With a balanced mix of dry, minimal rock and roll, and futuristic synthesizer stabs, Swift himself refers to the album’s sound as “Prince sitting in on John Lennon’s Plastic Ono sessions.”

Richard Swift’s Ground Trouble Jaw EP featuring single “Lady Luck” is available now for free on E-music and Other Music. Download “Lady Luck” for free now by clicking here.

Richard Swift will perform at SXSW and tour the US in spring 2009.

The Atlantic Ocean Tracklisting:

The Atlantic Ocean
The Original Thought
Ballad Of Old What’s His Name
R.I.P.
Already Gone
Hallelujah, Goodnight!
The First Time
Bat Coma Motown
The End Of An Age
A Song For Milton Feher
Lady Luck

“Little short of magnificent. The onset of a major talent” – Uncut Magazine

“Swift fashions music that thrills with new shapesâ€¦ a difficult and surprisingly rare achievement” â€“ The Sunday Times